State reopening guidance impacts City facilities and services

The City of Lenexa is following the guidelines of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, which is strongly recommended by Johnson County. Lenexa Parks & Recreation will reopen facilities and resume some programs and events in limited capacities starting June 1, at the earliest.

Quivira Road Corridor

The high traffic, high-profile Quivira Road corridor in eastern Lenexa is a major transportation and commercial hub for the city. Bisected by Interstate 35, the corridor encompasses a wide range of uses, including residential neighborhoods, shopping areas, business parks and schools.

Within a half-mile of the corridor (which includes parts of Overland Park) there is 3.6 million square feet of retail space and about 5,200 residents. Virtually all land in the corridor is close to being fully developed.

The corridor has seen significant public and private redevelopment over the last several years, including the $300 million Johnson County Gateway project, several new hotels, redevelopment north of 95th Street and spot redevelopment throughout the corridor. Other private property owners have also expressed interest in redeveloping their properties.

Quivira Road Corridor Study

In July 2017, the City of Lenexa received a grant from the Mid-America Regional Council’s Planning Sustainable Places program to study the Quivira Road corridor from 79th to 99th Street and make recommendations regarding appropriate land uses and multimodal opportunities along the corridor by building upon recent redevelopment activity. The project was funded with a $122,950 grant from MARC and a city match of $32,000.

This community-driven process was led by an advisory committee of business and property owners along the corridor, a representative from the Shawnee Mission School District, Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, Lenexa Planning Commission and Lenexa City Council. This team identified three overall goals:

We want the corridor to be a major reinvestment opportunity that is positioned for long-term financial prosperity.

We want the corridor to be accessible for multiple modes of transportation and walkable, workable, and livable for all.

We want the corridor to be unique, attractive and branded to support the distinct character of its place.

Three open houses were held throughout the process to allow stakeholders along the corridor to provide input. The consultant team also conducted focus groups with real estate companies, bicycle and pedestrian advocates and staff from the cities of Shawnee and Overland Park.

Final Recommendations

The Lenexa City Council accepted the final Quivira Road Corridor Study in July 2018. The recommendations from the corridor study are designed to act as a guide to help ensure that each individual project, public or private, that occurs throughout the corridor is well-suited to the community’s vision for the area as a whole.

The final recommendations are centered around the three project goals and strategies for development, transportation network and placemaking opportunities.

Development Strategies

Three sites along the corridor were identified as prime areas for redevelopment. Broadway Plaza/Orchard Corners South and Oak Park Commons East were well-suited for mixed-use lifestyle centers, which incorporate restaurants, retail destinations, housing and public green space. The study also suggested an independent senior living facility as a good fit for redevelopment at Four Colonies Plaza.

Most property in the study area is privately owned, so this redevelopment activity will have to be led by private developers. However, there are ways the city can help to promote this activity, such as reexamining Lenexa’s existing code and regulations to make them more flexible and approachable for redevelopment and infill.

Implementation steps

Time frame

Use analysis in the study to engage property owners to discuss redevelopment opportunities.

Short Term

Create an overlay district between 99th and 87th Street enabling the construction of "lifestyle"-type mixed-use developments.

Transportation Network

The study found that Quivira Road currently maintains a good level of service and safe roadway environment for vehicles but needs more comfortable accommodations and better connectivity for cyclists, pedestrians and public transit. The final report includes recommendations that balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and users of public transit.

Implementation steps

Time frame

Optimize signal timing along Quivira and adjust pedestrian timing.

Short Term

Improve existing crosswalks as needed.

Short Term

Conduct Complete Street Study and prioritize proposed improvements.

Short Term

Construct top priority improvements as identified in Complete Streets study.

Short Term

Construct top priority improvements as identified in Complete Streets study.

Explore sidewalk/trail lighting needs and create inventory of where enhancements are needed.

Short Term

Explore funding opportunities and partnership with Overland Park to construct multi-use paths in the 95th Street and Quivira area.

Short Term

Construct remaining facilities and changes from the final plan to align with the Complete Streets Plan.

Long Term

Evaluate connections along the Quivira viaduct for pedestrians and cyclists.

Long Term

Construct trail connection from Hidden Woods Park to 85th Terrace.

Long Term

Investigate street and trail lighting.

Long Term

Coordinate with other municipalities to construct a trail connection from Nieman Road to the Turkey Creek Trail.

Long Term

Work with Overland Park & KCATA to relocate the Oak Park Transit Center.

Long Term

Placemaking Opportunities

Stakeholders reported they wanted to see improvements that helped the corridor to feel safe and beautiful while enhancing the area’s unique character. The study suggests placemaking strategies that can be worked into other development or improvement projects.

Implementation steps

Time frame

Create design guidelines as necessary for different street options to include: Pedestrian and cycling amenities such as benches and pedestrian-scale lighting; High-visibility and decorative crosswalks; Uniform/decorative street lighting; Public art installations.

Short Term

Create design guidelines for trails that include pedestrian and cycling amenities.

Progress Update

The City of Lenexa is working with Olsson Associates to develop a Complete Streets Plan. The planning process kicked off in late July 2018.

City staff is reviewing various development regulations within the Unified Development Code to better address infill and redevelopment projects.

Frequently asked questions

What happens after the plan is adopted?

We anticipate the final document will outline the goals of the plan, identify the preferred concepts for redevelopment along the corridor and offer solutions for guiding future enhancement of the area. Because most of the property in the study area is privately owned, many of the recommendations will fall onto individual property owners to consider implementing.

What financial resources are available to property owners within the study area?

The city is a development-friendly community and has many economic development tools to assist businesses who choose to invest and grow here.